International cooperation in the peaceful uses of
outer space, including the question of the review of the Agreement
Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial
Bodies, G.A. res. 49/34, 49 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No. 49) at 91, U.N.
Doc. A/49/49 (1994).

Forty-ninth session
Agenda items 76 and 147

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 48/39 of 10 December 1993,

Deeply convinced of the common interest of mankind in promoting
the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes and
in continuing efforts to extend to all States the benefits derived
therefrom, and also of the importance of international cooperation
in this field, for which the United Nations should continue to
provide a focal point,

Reaffirming the importance of international cooperation
in developing the rule of law, including the relevant norms of
space law and their important role in international cooperation
for the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes,

Concerned about the possibility of an arms race in outer
space,

Recognizing that all States, in particular those with major
space capabilities, should contribute actively to the goal of
preventing an arms race in outer space as an essential condition
for the promotion of international cooperation in the exploration
and use of outer space for peaceful purposes,

Considering that space debris is an issue of concern to
all nations,

Noting the progress achieved in the further development
of peaceful space exploration and application as well as in various
national and cooperative space projects, which contribute to international
cooperation, and the importance of further international cooperation
in this field,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General 1/ on
the implementation of the recommendations of the Second United
Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer
Space, 2/

Having considered the report of the Committee on the Peaceful
Uses of Outer Space on the work of its thirty-seventh session,
3/

1. Endorses the report of the Committee on the Peaceful
Uses of Outer Space;

2. Invites States that have not yet become parties to the
international treaties governing the uses of outer space 4/ to
give consideration to ratifying or acceding to those treaties;

3. Notes that, at its thirty-third session, the Legal Subcommittee
of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, in its working
groups, continued its work as mandated by the General Assembly
in its resolution 48/39; 5/

4. Endorses the recommendations of the Committee that the
Legal Subcommittee, at its thirty-fourth session, taking into
account the concerns of all countries, particularly those of developing
countries, should:

(a) Continue its consideration of the question of early review
and possible revision of the Principles Relevant to the Use of
Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space;6/

(b) Continue, through its working group, its consideration of
matters relating to the definition and delimitation of outer
space and to the character and utilization of the geostationary
orbit, including consideration of ways and means to ensure the
rational and equitable use of the geostationary orbit without
prejudice to the role of the International Telecommunication
Union;

(c) Continue, through its working group, its consideration of
the legal aspects related to the application of the principle
that the exploration and utilization of outer space should be
carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all States,
taking into particular account the needs of developing countries;

5. Also endorses the recommendation of the Committee
that the Legal Subcommittee, at its thirty-fourth session, should
suspend consideration in its working group of the Principles Relevant
to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space pending the
results of the work in the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee,
without prejudice to the possibility of reconvening its working
group on that item, if in the opinion of the Legal Subcommittee
sufficient progress was made in the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee
at its session in 1995 to warrant the reconvening of the working
group;
6. Notes that deliberations on the question of the geostationary
orbit have been undertaken by the Legal Subcommittee as reflected
in its report, 5/ on the basis of recent proposals which might
provide a new and enhanced basis for future work;

7. Endorses the recommendations and agreements concerning
the organization of work in the Legal Subcommittee;

8. Also endorses the recommendation of the Committee that
the Chairman of the Legal Subcommittee should, at its thirty-fourth
session, conduct extensive, open-ended informal consultations
with all members of the Subcommittee on the working methods and
agenda of the Legal Subcommittee, including the consideration
of possible additional items for inclusion on the agenda as outlined
in the report of the Committee; 7/

9. Notes that the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee
of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, at its thirty-first
session, continued its work as mandated by the General Assembly
in its resolution 48/39; 8/

10. Welcomes the decision of the Committee to consider
the matter of space debris, and the addition of a new item, entitled
"Space debris", on the agenda of the Scientific and
Technical Subcommittee;

11. Notes that under that item the Scientific and Technical
Subcommittee considered scientific research relating to space
debris, including relevant studies, mathematical modelling and
other analytical work on the characterization of the space debris
environment;

12. Endorses the agreement of the Committee that, at its
thirty-second session, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee
should focus its attention on the acquisition and understanding
of data on the characteristics of the space debris environment,
and that the Subcommittee should also at its thirty- second session
develop a continuing, deliberate, specific multi-year plan for
its work on this agenda item;

13. Also endorses the recommendations of the Committee
that the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, at its thirty-second
session, taking into account the concerns of all countries, particularly
those of developing countries, should:

(a) Consider the following items on a priority basis:

(i)United Nations Programme on Space Applications and the
coordination of space activities within the United Nations system;

(ii)Implementation of the recommendations of the Second United
Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer
Space; 2/

(i)Questions relating to space transportation systems and
their implications for future activities in space;

(ii)Examination of the physical nature and technical attributes
of the geostationary orbit and of its utilization and applications,
including, inter alia, in the field of space communications,
as well as other questions relating to space communications developments,
taking particular account of the needs and interests of developing
countries;

(iii)Matters relating to life sciences, including space medicine;

(iv)Progress in national and international space activities related
to the Earth's environment, in particular progress in the geosphere-
biosphere (global change) programme;

(v)Matters relating to planetary exploration;

(vi)Matters relating to astronomy;

(vii)The theme fixed for special attention at the 1995 session
of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee: "Application
of space technology for education, with particular emphasis on
its use in developing countries"; the Committee on Space
Research and the International Astronautical Federation, in liaison
with Member States, should be invited to arrange a symposium,
with as wide a participation as possible, to be held during the
first week of the Subcommittee's session, to complement discussions
within the Subcommittee on the special theme;

14. Considers, in the context of paragraph 13 (a) (ii)
above, that it is particularly urgent to implement the following
recommendations:

(a) All countries should have the opportunity to use the techniques
resulting from medical studies in space;

(b) Data banks at the national and regional levels should be
strengthened and expanded and an international space information
service should be established to function as a centre of coordination;

(c) The United Nations should support the creation of adequate
training centres at the regional level, linked, whenever possible,
to institutions implementing space programmes; necessary funding
for the development of such centres should be made available
through financial institutions;

(d) The United Nations should organize a fellowship programme
through which selected graduates or postgraduates from developing
countries should get in-depth, long-term exposure to space technology
or applications; it is also desirable to encourage the availability
of opportunities for such exposure on other bilateral or multilateral
bases outside the United Nations system;

15. Endorses the recommendation of the Committee that
the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee should reconvene, at
its thirty-second session, the Working Group of the Whole to Evaluate
the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Second United
Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer
Space, to continue its work;

16. Also endorses the recommendations of the Working Group
of the Whole of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, as
endorsed by the Committee and as contained in the report of the
Working Group of the Whole; 9/

17. Decides that, during the thirty-second session of the
Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, the Working Group on the
Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space should be reconvened,
and invites Member States to report to the Secretary-General on
a regular basis with regard to national and international research
concerning the safety of nuclear-powered satellites;

18. Endorses the United Nations Programme on Space Applications
for 1995, as proposed to the Committee by the Expert on Space
Applications; 10/

19. Emphasizes the urgency and importance of implementing
fully the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference
on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space;

20. Reaffirms its approval of the recommendation of the
Conference regarding the establishment and strengthening of regional
mechanisms of cooperation and their promotion and creation through
the United Nations system;

21. Expresses its appreciation to all Governments that
have made or expressed their intention to make contributions towards
carrying out the recommendations of the Conference;

22. Invites all Governments to take effective action for
the implementation of the recommendations of the Conference;

23. Requests all organs, organizations and bodies of the
United Nations system and other intergovernmental organizations
working in the field of outer space or on space-related matters
to cooperate in the implementation of the recommendations of the
Conference;

24. Invites the Secretary-General to report to the General
Assembly at its fiftieth session on the implementation of the
recommendations of the Conference;

25. Notes that, pursuant to its request in paragraph 22
of resolution 48/39, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee,
at its thirty-first session, discussed the possibility of holding
a third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful
Uses of Outer Space and that the Committee continued these discussions
at its thirty-seventh session with a view to promoting an early
conclusion on the matter by the Committee;

26. Agrees that a third United Nations Conference on the
Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space could be convened
in the near future, and also agrees that, prior to recommending
a date for the conference, there should be a consensus recommendation
on the agenda, venue and funding of the conference;

27. Recommends that the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee,
at its thirty-second session, conduct a thorough analysis and
define an agenda for such a conference, and agrees that the Subcommittee
should discuss a broad range of themes and subjects that could
be refined into a sharply focused and detailed agenda and should
also continue its examination of other means of achieving the
goals set for such a conference;

28. Invites interested Member States to submit additional
ideas and proposals for a third United Nations Conference on the
Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in time for their
consideration at the thirty- second session of the Scientific
and Technical Subcommittee, and endorses the Committee's request
that the Secretariat compile a document, in time for consideration
at the thirty-second session of the Subcommittee, containing the
various ideas regarding the agenda and organization for the conference
submitted to the Committee;

29. Agrees that the discussions to be held by the Scientific
and Technical Subcommittee should provide the basis for a prompt
decision by the Committee on a recommendation to the General Assembly
regarding the agenda, timing, funding and organization of such
a conference;

30. Recognizes the contribution of the First Asia-Pacific
Conference on Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and
Applications, held at Bangkok in 1994, the Ministerial Conference
on Space Application for Development, held at Beijing in 1994,
and the second session of the regional Asia-Pacific Space Agency
Forum, held at Tokyo in 1994, towards promoting regional cooperation
in space activities, as well as the meetings mentioned in paragraph
13 of the report of the Secretary-General 1/ on the implementation
of the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference
on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space; and calls
upon the regional commissions to support those initiatives;

31. Recommends that more attention be paid to all aspects
related to the protection and the preservation of the outer space
environment, especially those potentially affecting the Earth's
environment;

32. Considers that it is essential that Member States pay
more attention to the problem of collisions of space objects,
including nuclear power sources, with space debris, and other
aspects of space debris, calls for the continuation of national
research on this question, for the development of improved technology
for the monitoring of space debris, and for the compilation and
dissemination of data on space debris, and also considers that,
to the extent possible, information thereon should be provided
to the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee;

33. Takes note with interest of the analytical report prepared
by the Secretariat 11/ containing updated information on the implementation
of Agenda 21 12/ by the United Nations system, information on
activities of the Programme on Space Applications related to environment
and development, and suggestions as to how the activities of the
Programme on Space Applications in this area might be expanded;

34. Endorses the agreement of the Committee that it would
request the Commission on Sustainable Development to bring to
the attention of its members the valuable role of space technology
and applications in implementing sustainable development programmes;

35. Urges all States, in particular those with major space
capabilities, to contribute actively to the goal of preventing
an arms race in outer space as an essential condition for the
promotion of international cooperation in the exploration and
uses of outer space for peaceful purposes;

36. Emphasizes the need to increase the benefits of space
technology and its applications and to contribute to an orderly
growth of space activities favourable to the socio-economic advancement
of humanity, in particular that of the people of the developing
countries;

37. Takes note of the views expressed during the thirty-seventh
session of the Committee and during the forty-ninth session of
the General Assembly concerning ways and means of maintaining
outer space for peaceful purposes;

38. Requests the Committee to continue to consider, as
a matter of priority, ways and means of maintaining outer space
for peaceful purposes and to report thereon to the General Assembly
at its fiftieth session;

39. Also requests the Committee to continue to consider
at its thirty- eighth session its agenda item entitled "Spin-off
benefits of space technology: review of current status";

40. Requests the specialized agencies and other international
organizations to continue and, where appropriate, enhance their
cooperation with the Committee and to provide it with progress
reports on their work relating to the peaceful uses of outer space;

41. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on international
cooperation in space activities for enhancing security in the
post-cold-war era 13/ and calls upon the competent bodies to take
into account its contents;

42. Takes note of the recommendation of the Committee that
the General Assembly, at its current session, in considering whether
to revise the Agreement Governing the Activities of States on
the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, 14/ should take no action
at the present time;

43. Requests the Committee to continue its work, in accordance
with the present resolution, to consider, as appropriate, new
projects in outer space activities and to submit a report to the
General Assembly at its fiftieth session, including its views
on which subjects should be studied in the future.

83rd plenary meeting
9 December 1994

____________

1/ A/49/280.

2/ See Report of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration
and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Vienna, 9-21 August 1982 and
corrigenda (A/CONF.101/10 and Corr.1 and 2).

3/ Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-ninth Session,
Supplement No. 20 (A/49/20).

4/ Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in
the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and
Other Celestial Bodies (resolution 2222 (XXI), annex); Agreement
on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the
Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space (resolution 2345 (XXII),
annex); Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused
by Space Objects (resolution 2777 (XXVI), annex); Convention on
Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (resolution
3235 (XXIX), annex); Agreement Governing the Activities of States
on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (resolution 34/68, annex).

5/ See Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-ninth Session,
Supplement No. 20 (A/49/20), sect. II.C.

6/ See resolution 47/68.

7/ See Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-ninth Session,
Supplement No. 20 (A/49/20), sect. II., E.5 and annex.